Public Utilities in the City of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

We are proud to report that the water provided by the Detroit Lakes Utilities meets or exceeds established water quality standards.

2010 Consumer Confidence Report

The City of Detroit Lakes provides drinking water to its residents from a ground water source. We have 3 wells ranging in depth from 232 to 237 feet, that draw water from the Quaternary buried Artesian aquifer. It is then pumped to the water treatment plant where it is aerated, filtered to remove iron, disinfected with chlorine. We add fluoride which helps fight tooth decay and ortho-poly phosphate is added for corrosion control. The treatment plant provides 520,000 gallons of storage within the plant. It is pumped from there to the distribution system for use by our customers and also for storage in our 1,000,000 gallon water tower or our 150,000 gallon standpipe. The treatment plant is operate by Minnesota Dept. of Health Certified operators.

Our aquifer has been classified as non-vulnerable by the Minnesota Dept. of Health. This means that with best management practices and education of the public we should have a non-contaminated water supply for many years to come.

If you have questions about the city of Detroit Lakes drinking water or would like information about opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water please cal 218-846-7102

This report is not being distributed to all customers or consumers. A copy of this report is available at the water treatment plant at 1240 Rossman Ave. or at the Public Utilities office at 1025 Roosevelt Ave. or by calling 218-846-7102 or 218-847-7609.

Groundwater Guardian

The City of Detroit Lakes is proud to be a Groundwater Guardian Community.

Compliance With National Primary Drinking Water Regulations

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells, As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that my be present in source water include:

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can naturally- occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-product of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, person who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly,a nd infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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